8 Ethical Travel Tips for Your Next Vacation

In our rapidly growing and interconnected world, ethical travel is a crucial aspect that some of us may still be less aware of. The ability to make conscious decisions while travelling and staying informed about your surroundings is what collectively builds ethical travel. 

Let us run through some highly recommended ethical travel tips to help you plan your travel essentials, take on more responsibilities, and have a sustainable break. 

1. Choose an Eco-Friendly Accommodation

One of the most basic tips for ethical travel is logical choices in accommodation. Eco-friendly lodging is minimalist and is the best way to support local businesses and save resources. Lodging at local accommodations means that money stays in the local economy, and there are fewer carbon emissions associated with constructing new large-scale developments. Supporting local businesses is a key aspect of ethical travel.

Select hotels that use energy-saving and water-saving techniques, such as producing their power from solar, using low-flow showers and sinks, and using energy-saving light fixtures. 

Search for accommodations with green certifications, such as LEED, Green Key, or EarthCheck. This aligns perfectly with the principles of ethical travel.

2. Appreciating Local Culture and Tradition

Ethical travel means respecting local cultures and traditions. Even if you only know a couple of words or phrases in the local language, displaying respect by using these words can lead to positive exchanges. Just saying hello and thank you goes a long way. 

Observe local cultural norms regarding dress to avoid the possibility of offending. Dressing appropriately is an important part of ethical travel. Respect the local rules and norms when you visit a cultural or religious place, like dressing properly, remaining mute, and not clicking pictures if it is not allowed. 

3. Reduce Plastic Waste

Ocean pollution is one of the scariest forms of environmental damage, and we contributed to it in a big way by not being careful with our rubbish when we were backpacking in the 1990s. So, we have a very soft spot for the issues of reclaiming plastics and ensuring that we don't just throw them away into the waste! 

Use reusable water bottles, shopping bags, and utensils. This will eliminate the need for single-use plastics that end up all over the environment. Reducing plastic waste is a critical part of ethical travel. 

Just say no to plastic straws and carry a reusable one! Even now, alternatives are beginning to sprout across many tourist destinations, such as straw options made of metal or bamboo. Avoiding plastic straws supports ethical travel. Opting for low-packaging products aligns with ethical travel, so choose products with low or sustainable packaging.

4. Back Ethical Wildlife Tourism

Wildlife tourism has a ranging impact on the ecosystem and on animal welfare. Avoiding exploitative practices against animals is a major principle of ethical travel. Make sure you go to wildlife reserves and zoos that have a proven track record of conservation and animal welfare. The key is to find a company where you can see what goes on in their background and where they have good reviews. Supporting ethical wildlife tourism is part of ethical travel.

When watching wildlife, do not get too close. Normalise human behaviour in wildlife to reduce the novelty therefore, the animals are more likely to go out instead of investigating human sights. However, you should avoid feeding or interacting with wild animals as it can interfere with their natural behaviour and put you and the animals in danger.

5. Travel Smart & Light

Travelling light tips will reduce your burden as an individual and on the environment. Only take the essentials and try not to overpack. This will reduce the weight of your luggage and the fuel consumption of planes, trains, and automobiles. Packing light is an important practice in ethical travel. Especially for students, we highly recommend checking for student discounts for student flight bookings. This will save you a few bucks, which you can use later during your stay.

Select travel gear that is ecologically made from natural resources. Use things like travel-sized reusable containers, biodegradable toiletries, and clothing made out of organic or recycled fabrics. 

6. Use Public Transportation

Public transport is an eco-friendly option. You can also book your airport pickups prior to avoid paying extra bucks, and you can begin to see a destination through local eyes. Whenever you can, take a train or a bus instead of getting on a plane or driving. 

Public transportation is one of the greatest sustainable travel options. Using public transportation supports ethical travel. Bike or walk instead of using motorised transportation. Not only does this help you reduce your carbon dioxide emissions, but you also have longer to look around the area and find hidden treasures. 

Walking or biking is a key element of ethical travel. If you must drive, try to carpool or take an Uber or Lyft. This minimises the number of vehicles on the road, reducing your carbon footprint. 

7. Consume Local and Sustainable Foods

Eating local and sustainable is a tasty way to give back when you travel. Opt for eating at locally-owned restaurants that serve fresh, local produce. Not only does this help the local economy, but it also reduces the carbon footprint from having to transport food thousands of miles. 

Choosing local restaurants is part of ethical travel. Simply eating more plant-based meals can have a huge effect on your environmental footprint. On the road, try bringing vegetarian or vegan-style dishes.

Avoiding endangered species supports ethical travel so be mindful of what you eat and avoid consuming endangered species or foods harmful to our planet. Learn about the local foods before you go, and make informed choices. 

8. Volunteer Responsibly

One great way to do this is to volunteer in the communities you move through. Volunteering is a fulfilling way to give back to the places you experience, but it should be done responsibly. Always do your homework before embarking on a volunteer project for an organisation. 

Seek out legitimate groups that are transparent and get good endorsements. Researching organisations is essential for ethical travel. Find volunteer opportunities that match your skills, interests, and experience. This is because you want to be able to add value and make a difference. 

Matching your skills to the project is part of ethical travel. Consider your volunteer work an investment. Avoid harmful projects such as short-term orphanage volunteerism. 

To travel ethically means to make appropriate decisions that lessen the damage to the environment and the locals. Adhering to these eight ethical travel tips will help you travel more sustainably, preserve local customs, and support the destinations you visit constructively.